What are the risks of an unbalanced diet?

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The risks of an unbalanced diet include obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease, according to the World Health Organization. These risks are caused by the excessive caloric intake and lack of crucial nutrients commonly caused by an unbalanced diet.

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Obesity is the leading risk of an unbalanced diet, and it is associated with numerous comorbid health conditions, according to the World Health Organization. Obesity results from a high energy diet, often filled with an excessive amount of calories from sugar, starches and fat, combined with reduced energy expenditure. Diabetes is a serious medical condition that is often caused by dietary imbalance and can lead to other serious conditions, such as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

The Nation explains that an unbalanced diet often results in malnutrition due to deficiencies in the various vitamins and minerals found across the varied food groups. Vitamins are essential to proper body function, and an unbalanced diet can result in anorexia, muscle cramps, irritability, anemia, skin problems, bone weakness and mouth problems. The BBC also notes that a diet that does not include enough fruits, vegetables and starches often results in serious tooth decay, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.